Is There A September 2011 Chemo Group?

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  • Kimberly1961
    Kimberly1961 Member Posts: 407
    edited September 2011

    Gmomma - I would strongly second CJRT's suggestion of calling often and asking about the errands.  It's just a simple "Do you need anything from the store, or anything else you need me to pick up?"  I also had a lot of help from family and friends with yardwork, ok this was post surgery, but when you are wiped out the same thing may apply.  Books and movies were also appreciated to pass time.

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  • cooka
    cooka Member Posts: 278
    edited September 2011

    Hi Gmomma,

    I am stuck at home because of my immune defenses too, and am having to follow a neutropenic diet:

     www.library.umc.edu/pe-db/Neutropenic-Diet.pdf

     You may find something useful there if you plan on helping out with meals, etc. Also, just going for a walk ouside with her might be great, I am ok to walk outside,  just have to avoid crowds, etc. It is awesome that you are there to support her:) 

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  • lwarstler
    lwarstler Member Posts: 341
    edited September 2011

    Shawna: Just sarted my 6 weeks of TAC. This disease really is infuriating and I am so sorry for your tough time. I hope that you will find an amazing person to walk through this with you but in the mean time we would love to walk with you.

    Kimberly: Happy Birthday!!

    Kate: I typed this the other day but had computer issue so I don't think it posted. I had a similar experience with the hot face, nausea, etc... my first TAC treatment and when I talked to the nurse, she told me that it sounded like the steroids and said they used 20mg of steroid and it might have been too much. She's gonna use 10 next time and see if that helps. 

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  • cooka
    cooka Member Posts: 278
    edited September 2011

    Happy Birthday Kimberly! 

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  • Shawna77
    Shawna77 Member Posts: 28
    edited November 2011

    Thank you all so much for your support! I'm feeling much better about everything today.  Smile

    Kimberly: Happy Birthday!! Hope you have an amazing day!  You always make me laugh...hopefully someone does that for you today.  The collie story kept me smiling for days.  Wink

    cooka: Did you spray your husband with Lysol?  That sounded like a great solution to me.  Hope your counts are climbing steadily!

    Jersey: Can just picture the look on your faces when you pulled out a clump of hair.  It's an interesting journey to say the least lol. 

    RC: How are you doing after your head shaving party? 

    lwarstler: So happy you put your foot down in regards to starting chemo! I don't know where some people get off thinking they're doctors!

    Dana: Are you still in the hospital? Hope you're feeling better & get to leave soon.

     Kate: Not sure if that was an anxiety attack...sounds like something that could sure cause one though.  I would've been terrified!

    FieryRed: Where are you?  Been wondering how you're doing.

    Off to the big city to get my neck ultrasounded today.  Think maybe I'll do some shopping while I'm in there.  A girl can always use more boots. 

    Thanks again ladies for everything.  The encouragement, the good stories, the bad stories...it all helps tremendously!  I couldn't do this without you all.  ((Big Hugs)) to all of you!  Here's to a SE free weekend for all! 

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  • khegidio
    khegidio Member Posts: 100
    edited September 2011

    Good news! Just had my first bloodwork test (10 days after my first chemo) and my cell counts are great!  Looks like the next chemo infusion will remain on schedule. Thank you Neulasta.  If it hadn't of worked I would have been pissed because those neulasta shots are $7,000 a pop.   

    kimberly196: Happy Birthday!  What a milestone birthday!  I hope you have celebration plans.   

    Gmomma: I am early in my treatment - I have only been through one chemo infusion so far and have 5 more to go.  One of my coworkers - who happens to be my best friend too - has done something for me that I will never forget.  It has really helped me, especially when it comes to making sure my husband and 14 month old son are taken care of in my down times.  She created an online calendar using some site (I can get the name of the site if you are interested).  It was very easy to do for her.  She put all of my treatment dates in and then sent it out to coworkers and friends who wanted to help.  People can sign up for food and cleaning slots the three or 4 days around my chemo treatments.  Its amazing how many people care.  Right now I have meals scheduled for the 4 days after all of my treatments.  Talk about one less thing to worry about.  I am finding this tremendously helpful - and also a booster for me because its a great feeling to see how many people care and want to help.  Let me know if you want the site to create a calendar for your fiend. 

    lwarstler: Thanks for the tip.  I went in for my blood test today and was hoping to talk to my chemo nurse to let her know of my 'episode'.  I didn't get a chance to see her though so I will have to talk to her on my next chemo day (10/12).  Thanks for the tip - I will definitely make sure to bring that up to see if it could be the cause.  It was scary and it scared the crap out of my husband so I surely don't want it to happen again. 

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  • Sheypres
    Sheypres Member Posts: 35
    edited September 2011

    It is hair shaving day.  I wanted to wait till it was coming out in chunks and it is. Don'tknow how I feel about it yet.  It really was a much easier decision to let them take 1/2 of my boob.  I need to go in for my Nuelasta shot and I wil do it when I get home.  I think I need some time to get used to it before going out for the first time. My hubby did his yesterday in support.  He will do mine today. At least we will save on shampoo for a while.

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  • khegidio
    khegidio Member Posts: 100
    edited September 2011

    sheypres: I wish you the best.  I know it's probably a tough time but all will be well.  My hair shaving day is next tuesday and I although I am looking forward to getting it over with, I am dreading it at the same time.  Stay strong girl!! It's only temporary. I hope that you and all of us will wear our baldness with pride!! Hugs. 

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  • Kimberly1961
    Kimberly1961 Member Posts: 407
    edited September 2011

    Sheypres - It's not easy but you may surprised to find out that you are prettier than you thought you would be bald.  The eyes really "pop" as they say without all that hair. 

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  • bluejay58
    bluejay58 Member Posts: 62
    edited September 2011

    Kimberly, happy birthday!  Hope you are having a great day, and wishing you many, many more happy birthdays.  :D

    Khegidio, that IS wonderful news about the Neulasta!  I'm really hoping mine works as planned, if only because I don't want to have to take Levaquin again.  That stuff is nasty.  *g*

    Hugs to all. <3<3<3

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  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,591
    edited September 2011

    sheypres--how may days out from chemo beginning are you..I feel like an idiot because I am just sure that my head is getting sensitive and itchy and the hair is going to fall out any minute..I am 10 days out from 1st.  The anticipation of it coming out is aweful.  I have my wigs but my neice who was going to style them tonight for me came down sick so she is not coming near me!

    Hope all are well or coping...sometimes that is all we can do for sure.  Next chemo on Wednesday next week...it's a shame cause I just got back to "normal" (except for obsessing about my hait falling out)

    Maggie

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  • Kelliregi
    Kelliregi Member Posts: 138
    edited September 2011

    Cooka - Thank you for posting the neutropenic diet! There were some things that I never would have thought of, like sharp cheddar and miso. I had my WBC and neutrophiles tested Wednesday, and they are climbing back up. I hope yours are too!

    Happy Happy Birthday, Kimberly!!! I hope you have a fantastic birthday weekend =).

    Well, It's day 16 post 1st chemo and the hair on my head is just starting to come out. I'm grateful it's lasted this long.

    I hope everyone has a wonderful SE free weekend!! 

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  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,591
    edited September 2011

    kelliregi...we live close...I am in Melbourne...looking forward to a great weather weekend!  Happy to feel good and enjoy it. 

    Maggie

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  • Kelliregi
    Kelliregi Member Posts: 138
    edited September 2011

    Hi Maggie - We are close! I'm looking forward to some cooler weather for sure. I can't wait to drop the top on my Jeep. I can't stand Florida in the summer, but love the winters here. I hope you have a great weekend too!

    Kelli 

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  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,591
    edited September 2011

    Jeeps are awesome...we have property in Holopaw (near st cloud) where the guys go out with jeeps and 4wheelers...they are staying the weekend out there!  Love it!

    Maggie

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  • Sheypres
    Sheypres Member Posts: 35
    edited September 2011

    I did it and I'm actually pretty ok with it. I have not had my hair this  short since I was a baby. Feels weird. Now lets see how I do with Bald.....

    Mags: I'm actually 15 days from first chemo and I'm gettin DD AC x4 and  then Taxol x4.  Doc said it would start coming out pretty bad Today or Sat. Started today so I shaved it so I wouldn't clog up the shower. LOL!

    Also- I was so worried about my 2 1/2 year old and all she did was tell me I looked like Amelia, my 9 month old. Worried for nothing. Kids are great!

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  • -RC-
    -RC- Member Posts: 287
    edited September 2011

    Happy Birthday Kimberly!

    I buzzed my hair yesterday and have to admit, as she was doing it I thought, Ok, here's where I cry...I waited for it.....waited for it....then looked at my GF and said "Ok, is it weird that I kinda like it?"  I have a nice little round head!  And I love feeling the fuzz!  I went crazy at the wig salon & kept saying "I may never grow my hair out again - there are so many options now & the wigs took 20 yrs off my life!"  Of course, my hair hasn't actually started falling out yet so we'll see how that feels but for right now - I'm a happy girl!!!! 

    Cheers to all who are surviving these treatments!  I read a lot of great ideas for support and comfort - you all have wonderful friends/family.  My next tx is Monday, so Sunday begins "Operation Hydration" 

    Hope everyone has a SE-free & good weekend!

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  • cooka
    cooka Member Posts: 278
    edited September 2011
    Hi Kelli,  i just got labs and am up to .4 neutrophils (what were yours?). Onc doesn't want me to shave my head today because of folliculitis, etc. so a few more hairy showers in my future :) I am wearing a hat just so i don't leave a trail of hair everywhere. Actually not so bad though, this too shall pass!
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2011

    Hi,

    I am not so good about posting, but love reading everyone else's posts.  I am having TAC x6 every three weeks,  Day 11 today.  It really knocked me down,  I have no energy and feel like I'm on the edge of nausea all the time.  I have the little orange pill, which definitely helps.  I bought two wigs but it is the "being bald" part that scares me!  I felt good wed and thurs and am back in bed today :(.  My son was sick and i think i caught it, Fever, body aches, Can anyone tell me if it is ok to have a fever and virus?  I haven't called MO.

    thanks, Sara

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  • cooka
    cooka Member Posts: 278
    edited September 2011

    Hi Sara,

     Sorry you aren't feeling well. Definitely call your onc night or day if you have a fever...a lot of places say 100.5 but mine says call at 100...hope you feel better soon. 

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  • Rockym
    Rockym Member Posts: 1,261
    edited September 2011

    Sara, you and I are doing our thing within a day of each other.  TACx6 is a bit rougher then my TCx4, but NO you should not have a fever or a virus.  If your son was sick, there is a good chance you caught something.  I would call before they close for the weekend.

    My chemo manual says that above 100.5 is when you should call.  You are also in the nadir period and your system is at it's weakest with red and white blood count and platelet stuff.  Let us know how you are doing.

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  • Kelliregi
    Kelliregi Member Posts: 138
    edited September 2011

    Maggie - Sounds like the guys are going to have fun! I traded my cushy Acura MDX for my Jeep about 2 months before my diagnosis. I thought I was going to be able to go out and have fun in it, not be driving to doctors and chemo. Sometimes I miss my cush ride, but when I'm finished killing this cancer, I'll be ready to hit the beach and mud =).

    Cooka - My WBC went from 1.4 to 3.1 and my Neutrophil's went from 0.1 to 1.2 in 1 week. Still a little low, but almost back to normal. I've been eating as much protein as I can tolerate! I'm curious about your folliculitis. What is it. My scalp has felt like it has a chemical burn since my TCH chemo. Its better now - some sore spots, but it's peeling. Nothing like spending my last few days with hair and dandruff!! I've noticed my hair on my head is just starting to come out. I figure I'm on borrowed time anyway. 

    Sara - I'm so sorry you aren't feeling well. I'm with the girls, any fever over 100.5 and you should call your Onc. Please let us know how you are doing. 

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  • sdw4158
    sdw4158 Member Posts: 5
    edited September 2011

    Hi everyone.  I was to have my 2nd TC yesterday but all of my viens collasped,  I was sent to the hospital today to have a Picc Line put in.  When I asked about a port at the beginning I was told that I had good viens and that with only 4 treatments I would not need a port.  The 1st treatment went fine and so did all of the sticks for the blood work.  It was yesterday when the viens refused to cooperate.  Does anyone here have a Picc Line and are their any issues with the line?  My arm is sore around the insertion site but otherwise I feel OK.  I know that I am paranoid but since the surgery I have had MRSA, C Diff, and heavy period bleeding so if anything unusal could happen I seem to get it.

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  • cooka
    cooka Member Posts: 278
    edited October 2011
    Kelli, I didn't realize protein could help that, time to wrangle up a steak! I don't have folliculitis yet, but it is basically a type of staph that causes inflammation at hair follicles.You may have seen guys that get it when they shave. It is an infection that most people can deal with but since I have wimpy neutrophils (and I've already had a major staph infection) my onc thought I should forego shaving my noggin'.  My hair droppage has gotten progressively worse and my shower was spent mostly getting hair off me;)I think when my count goes up high enough i'll go in and have it taken down to 1/4 inch or something. 
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  • rjbaby69
    rjbaby69 Member Posts: 349
    edited October 2011

    Sheypres:  I had a tough time with the hair shaving too.  I just felt like when I shaved my head the whole world knew what I was fighting.  It actually became apparent at that point.  But know, I have to agree with Kimberly.  I am kinda cute with a bald head.  I don't wear anything on it when I am home.  But I do wear my wigs when I go to work or out shopping or whatever.  Still a little self-conscious.  But I did walk out the door today to put some mail in the box bald as a baby's butt!  Glad my neighbors weren't out!  LOL!

    Khegidio:  Glad the neulasta shot is working.  Mine is too!  I am also eating lots of protein.  That's supposed to help with the blood count.

    Kimberly:  Happy, happy birthday to you!  Hope your day is as wonderful as you are.

    RC:  I can hardly keep my hands off my buzzed head either.  I love the feel.  In fact, when I was umpiring all those years, the guys that got their head buzzed, I always made them bend down and let me feel it.  I loved it!  Just does something to me.  LOL!  It got to where they would come up to the plate with their head bent because they knew I wanted to feel their head.  LOL!  It was funny and know I can feel my own head anytime I want!  Loving it!

    Sara:  Sure hope you get to feeling better soon.  Call the doc if you need to.  Don't let this illness get you further down.  Take care!

    As for me, today was fluids day.  I got my fluids and my neulasta shot today.  Went very smoothly.  I met two wonderful ladies today and we chatted the whole time we were hooked up.  I held one ladies had when she got her neulasta shot.  She got her's in the back of the arm and was stressing over the needles.  I reached over and grabbed her hand and told her to just talk to me and we would get through it.  The other lady and I got ours in our tummy.  I've got lots more fat there and I can't feel it much when they give it there.  I am really meeting some good people during my treatments.  I love people and talking and I never seem to meet a stranger. 

    So far so good as far as SE's go.  But we'll see what tomorrow and Sunday brings.  My kids are coming Sunday to mow my yard.  I tried to get them to let me come get the mower but they refused and said they were doing it on Sunday.  Okay.  Might as well let them mow while I visit with my grandbabies.  I'd rather do that anyways!

    Hope you all have a good evening.  Talk to you soon.

    HUGS!

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  • gmomma
    gmomma Member Posts: 6
    edited October 2011

    Thank you ladies for all of you excellent suggestions on ways to support my friend.

    Khegidio-I love the idea about the calendar.  May i please have the link. 

    I'm also going to pass on the diet information.

    It really helps to have input from people who are actually going through chemo because you ladies know first hand what you are dealing with and what you need.  I want to support her without being in the way.  I will take all of your suggestions and use them.

    Thank you ladies and my good wishes, thoughts and prayers are with all of you! 


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  • -RC-
    -RC- Member Posts: 287
    edited October 2011

    sdw - I am also receiving AC X4 with 3 more tx's left via IV and I wondered what happened if they have a problem with the veins.  I'm actually glad to know they can use a picc line....I'm sorry it happened to you though.  There is a great mild body wash we were told about by my DH's transplant surgeon called "Techni Care Scrub".  It's used just like Hibiclens but in surgical OR's.  It is so mild it can used every day yet kills all those nasty "bugs."  We order it online from TechniCare Labs.  My DH suffered a near fatal staph infection after his last transplant in 2002 and we've used this every since his surgeon told us about it. 

    rjbaby - YES!  I keep rubbing my  head too!!  Crazy weird isn't it!  It feels great not to have hair to worry about!  Perhaps I'll feel differently when it actually falls out next week sometime, I hope not.

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  • rjbaby69
    rjbaby69 Member Posts: 349
    edited October 2011

    Ladies I finally took a big step tonight.  Went to the store with my dew rag on....no wig!  Actually went out in public and got me some ice cream in case I get those horrible mouth sores....okay I really just wanted some ice cream!  Went to the store where I work (we have a Baskin Robbins inside).  The girls thought I looked great!  One of the cops was in there too and said it looked good.  WOW!  BIG STEP for me!  Yeah!

    HUGS!

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  • Kimberly1961
    Kimberly1961 Member Posts: 407
    edited October 2011

    RJ - You are such a flirt, petting the baseball players heads, batting your eyes at the cops.  Good for you. You go girl.  September is Bald Pride month, at least on our thread.

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  • JoJo702
    JoJo702 Member Posts: 7
    edited October 2011

    Kimberly its good to hear from someone .

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